By integrating material flows-based synergies analysis with the investigation of critical (non-technical) barriers to industrial symbiosis development in heavy industrial areas, the new industrial ecology framework, developed through this research, both assesses the current situation and highlights potential improvements towards a more sustainable resource efficient region. It also allows for effective benchmarking and comparisons between different industrial areas, thereby contributing to learning and sharing of experience from the regional studies. The framework has been tested on two industrial regions – Berezniki (Permskiy krai, Russia) and Gladstone (Queensland, Australia).